Brooklyn Sudano wanted to make a documentary revolving around her mother,
Donna Summer, after realizing there was more to her than people knew.
Roger Ross Williams also wanted to make a documentary revolving around Summer, while discussing a potential project with
Julie Goldman, Goldman connected the two. Williams and Sudano did not want the project to be a
puff piece, instead exploring difficult aspects of Summer's life and career. Sudano and Williams opted to use Summer speaking in her own words, using audiotapes recorded for her memoir
Ordinary Girl. In December 2021, it was announced
Roger Ross Williams and
Brooklyn Sudano would direct a documentary film revolving around
Donna Summer. ==Release==